Fedor Emelianenko Would Like to Continue Fighting for ‘As Long As I Am Physically Capable’

Fedor
Emelianenko already called it a career once following a
first-round knockout of Pedro Rizzo in
Russia in June 2012, but if “The Last Emperor” gets his way, his
next retirement won’t be in the near future.

“Like every other fighter I would like to fight as long as I can,
as long as I am physically capable and my body allows me to do it,”
Emelianenko said through a translator during a conference call on
Friday. “But it’s God willing and we’ll see. I have three fights
signed with Bellator, so hopefully no injuries and I’ll continue to
fight.”

The 40-year-old Russian will make his promotional debut at Bellator
NYC “Sonnen vs. Silva” on June 24 in the heavyweight co-main
event against Matt
Mitrione at Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight was
originally scheduled for Bellator 172 on Feb. 18, but Mitrione was
forced to withdraw at the last minute due to kidney stones.

While there was no shortage of suitors willing to step in and face
Emelianenko on a few hours’ notice, the promotion ultimately opted
to pull the Russian from the card. This time, Mitrione says he
feels healthy, and Emelianenko sees no need for a contingency
plan.

“Don’t worry about the details, the fight with Mitrione is going to
happen,” he said.

When questioned as to why he continues to fight after a career that
many believe established him as the sport’s pound-for-pound best,
Emelianenko replied simply: “Because I am a fighter.” And while he
admitted that money is certainly as important now as at any point
in his professional tenure, it isn’t the sole driving force behind
his desire to compete.

“For every fighter money plays an important role because that’s
your job and you have to make sure you’re providing for your
family, paying expenses for your training and everything else,” he
said. “Whenever you make certain negotiations for a fight you have
to take this into consideration. Of course, you’re always looking
for the best financial deal you can make.”

Emelianenko has won his last five fights, including a controversial
majority decision triumph over Fabio
Maldonado at a Fight Nights Global event in St. Petersburg,
Russia, last June. In that bout, Maldonado, a natural light
heavyweight, appeared to be on the verge of earning a stoppage
against Emelianenko after flooring his foe with a combination and
swarming with ground-and-pound. Somehow, the Pride Fighting
Championships veteran survived and managed to win the final two
rounds on the judges’ scorecards.

When looking back on his most recent appearance, Emelianenko claims
that it is extremely rare for someone to catch him as Maldonado
did.

“It was basically the second time in my entire fighting career
where I didn’t see and I didn’t feel the punch,” he said. “I just
didn’t see it coming. Something like this happens. If it’s happened
only twice [ever], it’s not that bad.”

In a week, Emelianenko will be fighting a true heavyweight in
Mitrione, who has earned 10 of his 11 career victories by way of
knockout or technical knockout. Never the largest man in his
division, Emelianenko has nonetheless prevailed against many of the
sport’s best over the course of his decorated professional tenure.
He says that Mitrione ranks up there with anyone he has faced.

“Matt is the top echelon of MMA fighters and especially the elite
group I used to fight. I think this fight is very dangerous,”
Emelianenko said. “He is very skilled, strong and has a good punch.
He belongs in the top tier of those fighters.”